Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks on during a regional semifinal of the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Stanford Cardinal and the Dayton Flyers at the FedExForum on March 27, 2014 in Memphis, Tenn. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice offered advice and support this week in venues ranging from Capitol Hill to courtside bleachers.

A Stanford University professor and principal at the RiceHadleyGates consulting firm, Ms. Rice came to Washington to headline Wednesday night’s annual National Republican Congressional Committee’s fundraising dinner, which raised around $15 million. Her speech touched on education and pushed back against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Thursday, Ms. Rice met with around 30 House Republicans to discuss the situation in Ukraine in the office of House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.), a personal friend who introduced Ms. Rice before her speech at the NRCC dinner.

“Whip McCarthy often seeks Dr. Rice’s counsel on matters related to the economy, national security and international diplomacy. He invited Dr. Rice to brief members and offer her insight,” said Mike Long, a spokesman for Mr. McCarthy. Ms. Rice, who has previously briefed Republicans in Mr. McCarthy’s office, discussed the political dynamics in Ukraine and Russia on Thursday, then fielded questions on a range of topics.

Through a spokeswoman, Ms. Rice declined to comment on the meeting. Ms. Rice, who served under President George W. Bush, has made clear her support for Republicans retaining control of the House.

“America is at its best when it is strong and prosperous both at home and abroad,” Ms. Rice said in a January statement when the NRCC announced she would headline its March dinner. “That is why we need a robust Republican majority in the House working each day to promote peace and economic opportunity for all.”

Later Thursday, Ms. Rice, dressed in Cardinal red, headed off to Memphis, Tenn., to watch Dayton upset Stanford’s men’s basketball team in the Sweet 16. Her presence was not lost on former Stanford football player, now Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, who took a selfie with Ms. Rice. “Nice crowd tonight in Memphis,” he tweeted.

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